Editorial: Out of the darkness

Increase in military suicides means stepping up awareness, treatment

To the uninitiated, it's hard to imagine a highly trained soldier, accustomed to handling crisis situations, could come to the conclusion that suicide is the only answer to the stresses of daily life.

Yet across the nation, there has been such a spike in the suicide rate among active-duty military that the Pentagon has established a Defense Suicide Prevention Office. In July alone, the Army reported 26 confirmed or suspected suicides, a monthly record.

Soldiers who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past decade have often done several tours of duty. They have endured the heat, dust and desolation of the desert in a region where it can be impossible to tell allies from enemies. Some are battling drug or alcohol abuse, perhaps using them as a release valve from the pressure of intense work. Even after returning to U.S. soil, they may face financial pressures, family responsibilities, health problems, and all sorts of adjustment challenges.

Here at Fort Eustis, the Army reports two confirmed suicides this year, and six other deaths are under investigation as possible suicides. In 2008, the Eustis behavioral health clinic logged about 3,500 patient visits; in 2009, there were 9,000 visits and in 2011 there were 12,000.

As with other Army installations around the country, the base is devoting more resources to mental health treatment. Eustis is expanding its clinical staff of psychologists, social workers and other professionals by about one-third to meet the demand from increased visits.

Sometimes a patient will report to a medical clinic for symptoms when there are also psychological factors involved. To make it easier to get help, Eustis has stationed social workers in its medical clinic and placing teams of mental health caregivers directly into units — an important effort because of the hesitancy for many personnel to reach out for assistance.

By increasing awareness of the symptoms that lead to suicidal thoughts, the Army takes some of the perceived stigma out of mental health treatment.

The most dramatic of the Army's efforts is the "stand-down," a program that brings personnel together to focus on both the triggers and the steps that can be taken to prevent themselves and their fellow soldiers from slipping into suicidal depression. Hearing distinguished speakers like Chief Warrant Officer 4 Clifford R. Bauman tell of his suicide attempt and subsequent recovery may be the best therapy of all. Bauman, who was at the Pentagon in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, told Eustis attendees last week that the feeling of losing control "doesn't make me less of a soldier."

Depression and despair can cause a loss of perspective, clouding the path toward helpful solutions. A suicidal person turns inward, isolates and draws away from support. Sharing personal stories and participating small-group sessions like those at Eustis can remove those clouds of gloom long enough for someone to see that he or she is not alone.

Our military personnel sacrifice more than just their time in defending and protecting our nation. In return, we should make sure they receive the support they need to cope with the pressures of duty. Fortunately, our military is taking the problem of suicide seriously. For every soldier who finds a way out of the darkness, these efforts will have been worthwhile.